Letter to the Editor: September is National Preparedness Month

I was sitting here wondering if I'm ready for a disaster or any type of emergency. I think I am, but are any of us ready for a disaster or an emergency. No, we aren't.

It is so important to at least get some of the things together that would help us or even save our life and maybe someone else. I'm talking about the 72 hour kits, our childrens school kits, car kits, office kits, diabetic kits, animal kits, business kits. Boy, that's a lot of kits.

But stop and think, this last winter a couple came here to Emery County to visit with family members and took a road that wasn't passable and died. If they had a car kit or some water and a blanket and maybe a candy bar, a flash light, they might have made it until morning where they could have seen to get help.

There are so many stories that can be told about being lost, like deer hunting, fell and hurt yourself, if you have a kit fixed up and on your back you'll be able to take care of yourself until someone finds you.

Fix a kit for when you go on winter ATV and hunting adventures, anything that will take you away from home. Hot Hands are available to warm your hand and feet, and are good for up to 10 hours. Have them in your kit along with a 3x3 silver blanket and water.

It is so important to learn about all these kits that could save your life, but maybe even someone else that is with you.

Here is a story called The Ant and the Grasshopper for you to think about.

A very long time ago there was a story of an ant and a grasshopper.

In a field one summer's day a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its content. An ant walked by, grunting as he carried a plump kernel of corn. "Where are you off to with that heavy thing?" asked the grasshopper.

Without stopping, the ant replied, "To our ant hill. This is the third kernel I've delivered today."

"Why not come and sing with me," said the grasshopper, "instead of working so hard?"

"I am helping to store food for the winter," said the ant, "and I think you should do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the grasshopper, "We have plenty of food right now."

But the ant went on its way and continued its work.

The weather soon turned cold. All the food lying in the field was covered with a thick white blanket of snow that even the grasshopper could not dig through. Soon the grasshopper found itself dying of hunger. He staggered to the ants' hill and saw them handing out corn from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the grasshopper knew: It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

Come to the Carbon/Emery Awareness Preparedness Fair on Sept. 28 at the Carbon County Fairgrounds.